McKinsey nears $600m settlement with US government over role in opioid crisis

Consultancy firm accused of helping opioid makers boost sales, which allegedly contributed to deadly epidemic

McKinsey is in the final stages of negotiating a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve a US criminal investigation into the consulting firm's work helping opioid manufacturers boost sales that allegedly contributed to a deadly addiction epidemic, people familiar with the matter said.

McKinsey is in talks to pay more than $600m to resolve the longstanding US Department of Justice investigation, which also encompasses findings of civil violations, the people said.